Research on Ocean Wave Spectrum and Parameter Statistics in the Northern South China Sea

Abstract Environmental processes are random in nature and represent a necessary input for evaluation of environmental loads. Accurate estimates of wave parameters are becoming increasingly important for the floating platform design in South China Sea (SCS). This paper is organized as follows. To begin with, we provided a brief introduction on the measuring instrument and field data. Then, seven types of ocean wave spectrum models were compared by with the observed data. The result of calculation showed that the JONSWAP spectrum had a good precision and a wide suitability under various sea states in SCS. Next, the peak enhancement factors of JONSWAP were calculated. In order to evaluate the evolution of peak enhancement factor under typhoon condition, the observed data at different water depths were analyzed. Subsequently, the non-dimensional wave spectrums spectra under the specific wind grade were proposed and the results can provide reference for offshore operations. The ratios between maximum wave height (Hmax) and significant wave height (Hs) were determined finally. The research results about for the characteristics of a wave had been used in the engineering design for several projects in China.